Modern Hero

The title of hero typically brings about images of superman, batman, or at least a famous basketball player. Yet my hero is as far from those images as anyone can be. My hero can’t even put his own socks on properly, let alone shoot lasers from his eyes. Yet like any other super hero, he has saved me from almost certain destruction.
When I was six, and he was two, my brother Eric was diagnosed with autism. I remember being jealous of all the extra attention he was receiving. My childhood wants had been unable to comprehend the severity of the situation. Time would have the pleasure of teaching me how serious things were, while Eric would have the unknowing pleasure of teaching me so much more.
Eric taught me about patience and putting the needs of others first while I sat for hours at the pool or the swing set because he refused to leave. He has taught me humility all the times he has managed to strip off his clothes in record time and go running naked through a public place. I have learned about earnest apologies from all of the times I have begged for forgiveness from the random person Eric pilfered food from in a restaurant. Every time someone points and laughs at my brother, I heatedly make a mental promise to never tease anyone. I will never forget the lessons of true embarrassment I learned sitting next to Eric in the front row of church when he launched his juice cup at the Priest. Yet I also remember what true fear feels like, which I experienced for the first time when Eric began having Grand Mal seizures.
Yet it’s not just the humbling experiences I have learned. Eric’s laugh of pure innocence reminds me everyday that simplicity is a beautiful thing. His ability to love even the worst of souls warms my heart and shows me that forgiveness is always the better option. Every time I receive a hug from that chubby bright eyed boy I remind myself to let my guard down and allow people into my life. He will always live in a childhood world, which gives me the gift of experiencing the joys of a child every single day. The fact that Eric can never be left alone has given me countless lessons about being a responsible care giver. Knowing that I will one day be Eric’s sole provider is a difficult reminder to live everyday to the fullest.
When I was a child my mother told me that that “God gives special children to special families.” I told her that I wished we weren’t so special. I know that broke my mother’s heart; and I don’t think I have ever regretted a statement more. Had my family not been blessed with the gift of Eric, I would be a sad excuse for a person. There are so many lessons, memories, and beautiful experiences that I would have missed out on, if that special boy was not in my life. My family has had many struggles over the years, but I would not trade them for the world. My parents actually went bankrupt attempting to pay for Eric’s medical bills, yet even from that, I feel I gained valuable lessons about finances and what, or more importantly who, really matters in life.
Eric has a super power that comes in the form of a heart of gold. No “regular” person has it, but he isn’t “regular”. It gives him the ability to teach life altering lessons, to love uncontrollably, to forgive without grudges, and to remain innocent. I don’t know where I would be without Eric, but I certainly wouldn’t be the person I am today. He has influenced every tiny aspect of my world. Every moment I am with him I am learning a new and valuable lesson about how to be the best person I can be. Eric will never know how to bath himself. He will never know how to tie his shoes or brush his teeth. He cannot speak more than a few words, and he will never hold a job. That doesn’t matter to me. If I had a choice, the one thing I would want him to know is that everyday I wake up and promise to make a difference in the world because someone believed that my family was special enough to deserve Eric and I have made it my mission to prove them right.